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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Proverb a Day in May - May 15th/Chapter 15

In chapter 15, one of the verses that stood out was Proverb 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. Next to this verse in my Bible I have this statement written down: Those who hate correction are those who KNOW they are doing wrong but CHOOSE to still do it.

What a shame when someone knows to do right, yet willfully chooses to do wrong. As born again believers, we know the way, yet it is our choice whether or not we will follow it. God has created us with a free will, and we exercise this free will not only in salvation, but in our daily life, as well.

The fact of the matter is that every Christian, from one time or another, will begin to stray from the way of life and need a little correction. How we respond to that correction and reproof is a proof of our spiritual stature. When we lash out in anger, it shows that we have not begun to stray, but we started straying a long time ago and are very far from the way God has for us.

I have seen the truth of this verse countless times in working with the homeless. Many times a coworker giving a soft answer cools down a situation when a client is worked up. If a coworker reacts the same way as the client, the situation escalates - yet dialing it down a notch (as they say) has the effect of calming the situation and the person.